Heat Presses

[k_fawver]

Ok..so I'm not having a lot of luck. I was having some trouble with my transfers peeling and such. I used ribbon along the edge of one of my shirts to hold the transfer down and it turned out really nice, but I obviously can't do that with all of them. I've followed every step in the "how-to" threads and it's just not turning out the way I want it to.

I'm considering buying a heat press. I've been doing some research and have found one for $279. It's not a heavy duty press by any means. I researched the model and found that it's good for hobbyists (me...lol) and not meant for a business...sounds perfect to fit my needs.

The only reason that I'm considering this is that I've had family and friends ask me to make t-shirts for them for various events and we're planning on having a family reunion soon and I'm considering designing the shirts for that. I don't want to make shirts for others and not have them hold up. I know that I could probably order them somewhere, but I'd really like to do it myself.

You guys were right! This is addictive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyway....any opinions on a heat press? Good investment or not? Think it might help with the peeling transfers?

 

[heartbeeps]

are you sure you had the iron hot enough and on the tee long enough?
I just did my first real batch of light transfers. I prepared about 12 of them. The first 4 I did CRACKED! (Is that what you mean by peeling?) The rest are fine. I'm thinking that even tho' the iron was HOT enough, maybe I didn't iron long enough! Otherwise, why would 4 peel but not the rest of them? And, why didn't I have this problem with the dark transfers? (I'm thinking - again - I took my time with the dark ones, I was trying to rush through these 12.)

Sorry, can't advise about the heat press except to say that's a lot of money to spend on a hobby in this economy.... and, that 1/2 my family never wore the 60 I made for them so I wouldn't invest heavily in an unproven product unless you're doing it out of personal enjoyment only and have the $$$ to spend.

Good luck whatever you decide to do.

 

[k_fawver]

They didn't crack or anything. The edges just started to pull away. I ironed for about 2 minutes with a lot of pressure. I'm just not sure what I'm doing wrong.

I thought about getting a heat press because my daughter was invited to join a cheer team and they do a lot of competitions and I thought it would be nice to make shirts for her and a couple of their friends as well as for the moms. Also, i have a large family with several small children. A lot of family members are requesting personalized shirts for birthdays and such (not necessarily Disney). I just don't want to make something for someone else and have these problems.

I look through all of these threads and see pics of shirts that look great! Mine look pretty good too until after someone has worn them for a few hours or they're washed. Just thought a heat press might do a better job.

The only reason I'd consider investing in it is because I will probably have a lot of other craft projects as well. My daughter loves personalized things...shirts, bags, etc. I just thought since I had already invested so much in shirts, transfers and ink that spending a little more on something to make it look better would be worth it. What do you think?

 

[lisabelll]

I have been watching this thread because I want a heat press so bad!!! I know exactly what you mean about the edges pulling away. That happened to us last year. The shirts look FABOO then half way through the day the DISigns started to peel off The year before that I kinda burned some of the DISigns (the white turned a little brown). So last year I thought I must have just not ironed them hot enough. I did use different paper though. My first year the DISigns stayed on and only started cracking and looking bad after I stopped washing them inside out and started drying them. I bought that paper off ebay. Last year I got together with some Disers and used paper we all bought together. Maybe I should just go back to the ebay paper!

I wish I could talk DH into that heat press though

 

[heartbeeps]

They didn't crack or anything. The edges just started to pull away. I ironed for about 2 minutes with a lot of pressure. I'm just not sure what I'm doing wrong.

I thought about getting a heat press because my daughter was invited to join a cheer team and they do a lot of competitions and I thought it would be nice to make shirts for her and a couple of their friends as well as for the moms. Also, i have a large family with several small children. A lot of family members are requesting personalized shirts for birthdays and such (not necessarily Disney). I just don't want to make something for someone else and have these problems.

I look through all of these threads and see pics of shirts that look great! Mine look pretty good too until after someone has worn them for a few hours or they're washed. Just thought a heat press might do a better job.

The only reason I'd consider investing in it is because I will probably have a lot of other craft projects as well. My daughter loves personalized things...shirts, bags, etc. I just thought since I had already invested so much in shirts, transfers and ink that spending a little more on something to make it look better would be worth it. What do you think?

I'd be curious to know what brand transfer paper you used - and whether light or dark. I used 90% dark HP & ~10% light Avery in my first batch of 60+. Can't say I had that experience but did have one crack (Avery light).

Just did a dozen more last night (HP light) and 4 cracked... I "THINK" it was b'c I didn't iron long enough (I know it was hot enough).

 

[k_fawver]

I have been watching this thread because I want a heat press so bad!!! I know exactly what you mean about the edges pulling away. That happened to us last year. The shirts look FABOO then half way through the day the DISigns started to peel off The year before that I kinda burned some of the DISigns (the white turned a little brown). So last year I thought I must have just not ironed them hot enough. I did use different paper though. My first year the DISigns stayed on and only started cracking and looking bad after I stopped washing them inside out and started drying them. I bought that paper off ebay. Last year I got together with some Disers and used paper we all bought together. Maybe I should just go back to the ebay paper!

I wish I could talk DH into that heat press though

I think I'm going ahead with it. I'll let you know if it's better than the iron.

I'd be curious to know what brand transfer paper you used - and whether light or dark. I used 90% dark HP & ~10% light Avery in my first batch of 60+. Can't say I had that experience but did have one crack (Avery light).

Just did a dozen more last night (HP light) and 4 cracked... I "THINK" it was b'c I didn't iron long enough (I know it was hot enough).

I used dark transfers because the colors are more vibrant IMO. I got them from Coastal Business Supplies. They're professional grade transfers. I thought at first that they may not have been made for a regular iron, but there are directions for both ironing and heat presses.

 

[SusieStone]

I bought a heat press right off the bat and never tried a real iron.

I absolutely love my heat press.

I ordered mine from printonit.com and ordered their transfers as well.

 

[k_fawver]

Thanks for that! Do you ever have trouble with peeling transfers?

 

[SusieStone]

Thanks for that! Do you ever have trouble with peeling transfers?

none at all.